Author Topic: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 7 (Read 212673 times)

Chris Bergin · « **on:** 05/05/2018 04:20 pm »

Thread 7 for SpaceX's development of a Boca Chica launch site.

Previous threads.

Thread 1 COVERAGE
Thread 2 COVERAGE
Thread 3 COVERAGE
Thread 4 COVERAGE
Thread 5 COVERAGE
Thread 6 COVERAGE

L2 Coverage:
Master L2 Level All SpaceX Launch Facilities Section

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joesmith · « **Reply #1 on:** 05/06/2018 12:18 am »

Nomad, when are you getting back out to Boca Chica for some on-the-scene reporting?

Nomadd · « **Reply #2 on:** 05/06/2018 12:30 am »

NET 28 May. Return day probability of violating beer drinking at beachfront bars restraint: 40%.
Primary concern(s): enjoying that more than going back to a mosquito infested swamp rule.

HeartofGold2030 · « **Reply #3 on:** 05/06/2018 06:40 am »

A picture of the crane shed:

http://mobile.twitter.com/search?q=SpaceX%20Texas%20&src=typed_query

Nomadd · « **Reply #4 on:** 05/06/2018 10:47 am »

That photo came from an earlier version of this thread. I took it.

BadgerLegs · « **Reply #5 on:** 05/06/2018 02:44 pm »

Quote from: Nomadd on 05/06/2018 10:47 am

That photo came from an earlier version of this thread. I took it.

Watermarks?

ChrisC · « **Reply #6 on:** 05/06/2018 03:25 pm »

Quote from: HeartofGold2030 on 05/06/2018 06:40 am

A picture of the crane shed: http://mobile.twitter.com/search?q=SpaceX%20Texas%20&src=typed_query

HeartofGold2030, welcome to the forum. Please see my signature below for guidance on how to properly embed information from outside sources (e.g. Twitter). In this case, the tweet from yesterday is using an old photo but providing new news (or at least a rumor). To wit:

https://mobile.twitter.com/CowboyDanPaasch/status/992891144462831616

Quote

Meanwhile in South #TEXAS: This week, @SpaceX allegedly is having a roll-up door installed on the big shed they had built around the newish marine crane assembly parts. #Progress #FlyBocaChica : @Nomadd2029

groundbound · « **Reply #7 on:** 05/06/2018 04:48 pm »

Quote from: ChrisC on 05/06/2018 03:25 pm

Quote from: HeartofGold2030 on 05/06/2018 06:40 am
A picture of the crane shed: http://mobile.twitter.com/search?q=SpaceX%20Texas%20&src=typed_query

HeartofGold2030, welcome to the forum. Please see my signature below for guidance on how to properly embed information from outside sources (e.g. Twitter). In this case, the tweet from yesterday is using an old photo but providing new news (or at least a rumor). To wit:

https://mobile.twitter.com/CowboyDanPaasch/status/992891144462831616

Quote
Meanwhile in South #TEXAS: This week, @SpaceX allegedly is having a roll-up door installed on the big shed they had built around the newish marine crane assembly parts. #Progress #FlyBocaChica : @Nomadd2029

Speculation: the roll-up door is being installed so that aforementioned large insects do not abscond with the crane.

bocachicagal · « **Reply #8 on:** 05/06/2018 05:19 pm »

The crane shed with it's new door. A couple of garages were installed on the two pads within gate B2.

oldAtlas_Eguy · « **Reply #9 on:** 05/06/2018 06:05 pm »

Quote from: bocachicagal on 05/06/2018 05:19 pm

The crane shed with it's new door. A couple of garages were installed on the two pads within gate B2.

Looks like R-19 insulation. Meaning the “shed” will be occupied by people. Most likely some maintenance and repair space along with more permanent construction office space.

Nomadd · « **Reply #10 on:** 05/06/2018 08:17 pm »

The dishes still need considerable work and they might need them going for the first D2 flight, so they could be moving on that project.

testguy · « **Reply #11 on:** 05/06/2018 08:34 pm »

Still a very very very long way from the activity expected after the Falcon Heavy launch. It’s a long way to go even for limited operations, didn’t say launch, in late 2018. Is it time to discuss the reasons for the lack of progress?

cscott · « **Reply #12 on:** 05/07/2018 12:19 am »

Quote from: testguy on 05/06/2018 08:34 pm

Still a very very very long way from the activity expected after the Falcon Heavy launch. It’s a long way to go even for limited operations, didn’t say launch, in late 2018. Is it time to discuss the reasons for the lack of progress?

The idea that SpaceX would instantaneously transition from the Cape to Boca after the first FH launch was a minority opinion not widely shared AFAICT.

In the Cape threads there are continued reports of work being done on LC-39A to transition it from FH to Block 5 as well as to install the crew access arm and other modifications needed for crew dragon. In fact, one rumor seemed to pin the delay of the first Block 5 launch on delays finishing up the pad work.

I wouldn't be surprised if significant resources weren't shifted from the Cape to BC until the Crew Access Arm was installed at LC-39A, at least.

Lars-J · « **Reply #13 on:** 05/07/2018 12:22 am »

Quote from: testguy on 05/06/2018 08:34 pm

Still a very very very long way from the activity expected after the Falcon Heavy launch. It’s a long way to go even for limited operations, didn’t say launch, in late 2018. Is it time to discuss the reasons for the lack of progress?

It does seem like BC might be changing initial focus from a F9/FH launch pad to a BFS/BFR test site. (although it could be both) Perhaps this is part of the delays.

mlindner · « **Reply #14 on:** 05/09/2018 03:38 am »

My 2 cents for what it's worth:

* Boca Chica won't be used for a F9/FH launch site. There is no need for it.
* For the very near term Boca Chica will be for Crew Dragon tracking.
* For the somewhat near term Boca Chica will be for BFS testing (TBD if BFR testing will be done there or not).
* BFS will floated in via the harbor, and BFS will never go to McGregor unless it is welded together in McGregor and stays in McGregor after being welded.
* I see no future for putting a floating platform off shore of Boca Chica until they're nearing full scale BFR/BFS testing which wont happen for several more years. Even then, why put it off shore of Boca Chica when they can put it off shore of LA where they're building it. It doesn't make sense to me.

docmordrid · « **Reply #15 on:** 05/09/2018 07:03 am »

Quote from: mlindner on 05/09/2018 03:38 am

My 2 cents for what it's worth:

>
* For the somewhat near term Boca Chica will be for BFS testing (TBD if BFR testing will be done there or not).

* BFS will floated in via the harbor, and BFS will never go to McGregor unless it is welded together in McGregor and stays in McGregor after being welded.
>

I'm thinking that the BFx thrust structures will be road transportable before assembly, but no welding because they'll be bolted together like Block 5's Octaweb.

Reconfigurable, transportable etc..

joesmith · « **Reply #16 on:** 05/09/2018 04:22 pm »

......will the BFx structure be landing back into the clamps used on launch?

Lars-J · « **Reply #17 on:** 05/09/2018 04:36 pm »

Quote from: joesmith on 05/09/2018 04:22 pm

......will the BFx structure be landing back into the clamps used on launch?

The BFB, yes, but not the BFS.

Lar · « **Reply #18 on:** 05/09/2018 08:19 pm »

Quote from: mlindner on 05/09/2018 03:38 am

* I see no future for putting a floating platform off shore of Boca Chica until they're nearing full scale BFR/BFS testing which wont happen for several more years. Even then, why put it off shore of Boca Chica when they can put it off shore of LA where they're building it. It doesn't make sense to me.

Offshore of LA doesn't allow launch to the east. So I am dubious of them doing a platform there early (prior to P2P or production level launches for Skylink)

biosehnsucht · « **Reply #19 on:** 05/09/2018 10:44 pm »

If you're just doing suborbital test hops, there's no reason you have to fly in any given direction. You could flight off the shore of LA if you wanted... but it's a busy area, lots of air and sea traffic. Easier to do it someplace like Boca Chica, especially if doing it using off shore platform anyways.